WPJA.com HomeWedding Photojournalist Association

Vail Wedding Photographers

Find a Photographer / United States / Colorado / Vail

Vail Wedding Photographers

Our Vail photographers also provide documentary-style coverage in: Beaver Creek

Vail Wedding Photography, Engagement Photo Sessions + Elopements

Intimate Wedding Photography in Vail - Capturing the Joy of Small Celebrations - Discover the best Vail photographers specializing in intimate marriages. Couples are embracing the trend of smaller, more meaningful celebrations. Let our talented photographers capture the happiness and closeness of your religious, boutique, modern, or at-home wedding.

By planning a simple Vail elopement, couples are able to stay present in the moment and fully absorb the impact of their wedding day. With many couples feeling more comfortable and relaxed in intimate settings, it is not surprising that some of the most sincere and touching wedding photos are captured at smaller celebrations.

The WPJA has an abundance of top-ranked, Vail documentary wedding photographers available right now who understand that some weddings can’t wait. Find yours today!
Recent WPJA WedElope Story Awards
A Wedding Venue Image showing The bride and groom exiting the church with joy and flower petals
Mauricio Urena
Sunrise Wedding Ceremony at the Lake | Picture of the bride and groom exchanged rings and handfasting on the shore
Lucy Schultz
The bride and groom exchanged warm hugs after the indoor civil ceremony at the town hall, surrounded by their cherished guests
Audrey Morisson

Vail Photographers for Large or Small Weddings

Shooting an elopement or small Vail wedding event is a wedding photojournalist’s dream: a fairly open schedule with lots of breathing space for creativity – it’s just the photographer, the couple, the officiant, and perhaps a few select companions.

Colorado WPJA members are ready to document any city hall, micro, justice of the peace, or any other type of elopement wedding, even if it is a Monday-Thursday ceremony. Search for the “Can Shoot Weddings on Short Notice!” message on the listings below.

View Award-Winning Pictures from Vail Wedding Venues

WPJA Venue Images
WPJA Venue Images
WPJA Venue Images
WPJA Venue Images

4 Vail Wedding Photographers...

Colorado wedding photography and intimate elopements by Stacy Gillespie

Stacy Gillespie, an adventure wedding photographer based in Colorado, combines her background in marketing with her passion for photography. With a competitive spirit, she specializes in capturing the unique style, personality, and beauty of her subjects.

Stacy Gillespie

Silverthorne in Colorado, US *Now booking Vail weddings.
92
1
93
6200 (USD)
Wedding, engagement and elopement images by Mark Creery of Colorado

Rocky Mountain-based wedding photojournalist Mark Creery has 20 years of experience. He tells his clients' wedding day story with style, capturing candid moments while connecting with people through his easy-going personality.

Mark Creery

Fort Collins in Colorado, US *Now booking Vail weddings.
73
1
168
3500 (USD)
Lifestyle portrait of Colorado wedding and elopement photographer Nina Larsen Reed

Nina Larsen Reed is a highly experienced wedding photojournalist based in Colorado. She is passionate about capturing breathtaking moments and helping couples plan their dream elopements and weddings in the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

Nina Larsen Reed

Boulder in Colorado, US *Now booking Vail weddings.
8
2
22
5500 (USD)
Wedding and elopement Photographer Carl Bower

Carl Bower, an acclaimed photojournalist, and Pulitzer Prize nominee, focuses on capturing the essence of US destination weddings. His unobtrusive approach allows him to preserve poignant and genuine moments, resulting in personal and profound imagery.

Carl Bower

Denver in Colorado, US *Now booking Vail weddings.
41
2
21
3500 (USD)

Map of Wedding Photojournalists Serving Vail Couples

Vail Wedding, Elopement and Engagement Images by WPJA Photographers

Below are some Vail wedding photography samples from the world’s best wedding photographers of the WPJA. Some of these Vail marriage pictures might be artistic portraits, details, or documentary-style images that have come from getting ready sessions, wedding ceremonies, reception venues, or Vail engagement portrait sessions with couples.

In this wedding photo taken at Piney River Ranch near Vail, CO, the groom tenderly kisses the bride amidst the serene beauty of the mountains and mesmerizing reflections in the river.
A couple in Colorado's Vail Mountain area had a picturesque engagement photoshoot, featuring a man carrying a woman through a field of flowers, reminiscent of the famous Sound of Music
An engaged couple skis down the road at Vail Pass, CO, as their transportation follows behind at dusk with lights on
In a snowy landscape at Vail Pass, CO, an engaged couple poses for portraits, sharing a sweet kiss beside their snow track transportation
A stunning wedding photograph taken at Camp Hale in Vail. The image showcases the couple in a field of vibrant yellow wildflowers, captured from a low camera angle.
The bride and groom embraced at the snowy Donovan Pavilion in Vail, CO, lit by the photographer and symmetrically framed
The snowy Donovan Pavilion in Vail, CO, set the perfect winter backdrop for the bride and groom, with warm bokeh lights softly glowing in the foreground and background
A Vail wedding photographer captured the joyous moment of newlyweds popping champagne at the garden alter of a Community House private ceremony
In Vail, Colorado, the bride hugs her mom in the cabin where she is about to marry
A forest portrait of the couple and the trees in Vail, Colorado
Vail creative documentary wedding photography at the Vail Golf Course Reception venue showing The Catch of the bridal bouquet
A Vail, Colorado, on location couple lifestyle portrait with some rimlight above the Mountains

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can couples find Vail photographers for pre-wedding engagement portraits?
A: The WPJA issues Diamond Awards for Vail wedding photographers to showcase their best engagement photography work. These awards are given to photographers who prove that they have an ability to be creative, artistic, and intuitive while working on-location with couples who are newly engaged.
Q: Who are the best Vail wedding photographers for small elopements?
A: The WPJA is proud to have some of the top Vail documentary wedding photographers for elopements. Our members are able to submit WedElope Stories that take you step-by-step, via a 9 image picture story, through the unique and moving elopements that take place around the world.
Q: How can couples find reviews of Vail wedding photographers?
A: We call them Client Letters. At the WPJA, we decided more than 20 years ago to avoid incorporating those third-person testimonials and endorsements that are found all too often in advertisements. Instead, we elevated our listings with the use of Client Letters, which represent the actual words and feelings of the clients who booked those Vail wedding photographers for their own wedding.
WPJA Communiqué: Featured Wedding Photography Articles
What is a Modern Elopement?
WHAT EXACTLY DOES IT MEAN TO ELOPE? If you look up the definition of “elope” in the Merriam-Webster dictionary , you’ll find a plethora of meanings making it quite clear how polarizing the word has become, and how it has transformed and evolved with the passage of time and...Read more
Wedding Economy: The Ups and Downs
We all know that the economy can go through some hard times, and be somewhat reminiscent of past recessions. However, as people cut back on non-essential little luxuries here and there, one constant remains: weddings. People don’t tend to just stop getting married due to a...Read more
jperlman elk cove inn ceremony
Top 4 Types of Small Weddings to Make Your Day Truly Yours
Everyone always says that your wedding day is all about you. But let’s face it; that’s not always actually the case. Many couples stress over guest lists, planning, expenses, and all the frills and traditions of your standard large wedding that they may or may not even be...Read more

WPJA Communiqué: Viewpoints
Elopements: Traditional and Modern
The oldsters among the WPJA ranks no doubt remember when 'to elope' meant, in Merriam-Webster’s definition, “to run away secretly with the intention of getting married, usually without parental consent.” Many wedding photographers have gone on the lam with couples who did just that. However, even Merriam-Webster now acknowledges that “elope appears to have become shorthand for ‘ small destination weddings ,’ a ‘ wedding that is not financially insane ,’ or a ‘ wedding that allows us to not invite all the people we would rather not invite .’” Smaller Weddings are... Read more
What is Reportage?
On Instagram and elsewhere, one can see images labeled as #photojournalism or #reportage when they are, in fact, merely photos. I say "merely," even though photography has been my career's great passion. But it's because of that passion and my respect for the work of actual photojournalists that I am particularly bothered to see wedding photographers call their work "reportage." That word properly used actually means something important beyond just a stylistic conceit. By contrast, however, I'm the lead cheerleader for those practitioners of #weddingphotojournalism ... Read more

RAVES, REVIEWS, AND Vail WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Chesney & Greg

Photo by Carl Bower

Every shot you took was a cut above.  Not only are you a master technically, you're an artist.  You understand how objects and shapes come together to create a powerful image and tell a story.  You've also obviously carefully studied how people interact.  The photos are so well-timed... it's almost as if you knew what I was going to do before I did it.  That takes quite a trigger finger. You not only took photos of everyone who's important to me... you captured who those people are.  My panic.  Greg's graciousness.  My mother's goofiness. My wedding is the first time I've ever seen my father cry… I know it was just another Saturday at work for you, but that album is the best wedding present I received.  I'm so grateful I found you. On top of the compliments regarding your work, I just wanted to say that both Greg and I really enjoyed your company.  You have a good spirit about you.

View Photographer
The bride and groom alone together following their temple wedding and music hall reception party

Yasaswi and Dima

Photo by Carl Bower

We are so tremendously grateful for your coming all the way out to Pittsburgh and lending your artistic vision to the day. The pictures are stunning. You caught incredible moments. Thank you for capturing it so beautifully. We shared the photos this weekend and have heard incredibly positive feedback on the moments you captured. Thank you so much for being there to celebrate with us.

View Photographer
Couple kissing while leaving ceremony at Villa Parker wedding by Denver wedding photojournalist.

Julia and David

Photo by Carl Bower

Thank you so much for being as fantastic on the wedding day as you have been leading up to the day…In all seriousness you just gave me all the feels. Thanks for the laughs.

View Photographer

WPJA contest judges have been recognized by their industry peers, winning top awards as staff picture editors, staff photojournalists, and newsroom mentors while working for these and other leading publications and journalism organizations.